Australia v Pakistan 2023-24: First Test – Day 3: No room for the Doctor
PERTH DAY 3
One thing about this Test Match is the weather. It has been stunning and today is no exception. It is going to be pretty hot but unfortunately this concrete coliseum has no room for the ‘The Doctor’.
The Doctor would have to blow the house down to gain entry. To say this arena is depressing is probably paying it a compliment. There is no heart and soul (Title of a great football book) in there , especially for cricket where the small crowd spread out everywhere makes it unlike the casualty ward at Mildura Base.
An early wicket sees Babar enter the arena. Have only seen him on TV and I am looking to his shot making. Conditions are perfect for him so there are no excuses. At the other end Imam-Al-Haq has been as solid as a rock. One of the few top-class players wearing spectacles he is a sight to see.
Azam Babar unfortunaley has let the small crowd and himself down. A couple of fine shots but the Marsh man gets him.
Another break in play as Marnus puts the armour on and just a couple of overs after drinks. Oh hum, at least 3 minutes lost. Must get a stop-watch for Melbourne.
The grassy knoll has again only attracted a handful of ‘eventers’ and the majority of them kids.
Professor Imam does a Marsh and tries to hoik Lyon out of the ground as he runs down the pitch. The boy from Young is too smart for that and he is stumped without a review! Goodness me what is cricket coming to? No review.
The early hard work of the Pakistanis has come undone in this session with four wickets falling.
One thing that I have noticed about the crowd in the mauseleum is that there is very few people willing or unable to dress for the occassions. By ‘dress’ I mean I have not seen any gorillas, monkeys, clowns or anybody daring to be the norm for big cricket. Bit disappointing Sandgropers where is your imagination?
The Australian bowlers today have not given anything away in the trying weather. The number of times they have beaten the bat is testimony to their resilienceand accuracy. So much for bringing in new faces.
The grassy knoll is a joke. They have just had to close it to clean up the mess. The cost of the whole project must be staggering but of course we will never get to know unless there is a royal commission held.
Without any great effort Australia finish the Pakistani innings and are 218 runs in front and looking forward to advancing that lead by stumps tonight.
Australia 489 Pakistan 271 Inan 62, Abdullah 42 and Shan 30. Lyon 3/66, Cummins 2/35 and Starc 2/58.
I’ll offer the excuse that Australia where going for quick runs in their second dig because both Warner (0) and Labuschagne (2) were out to terrible shots to the bowling of Khurram. Terrible indeed.
Khawaja and Smith have steadied the ship as there are still seven sessions to play and a strong lead already. Play dawdles long for the rest of the afternoon with the spectators just sitting back and watching other spectators watch other spectators. Do you remember the breakfast cereal ‘Weeties’? I always endeavoured to count the number of King Weeties there were on the front of the packet. Never got the number right whatever it was.
Shades of Jardine.
Afridi has six men on the leg side to Smith.
He bounces SPD.
SPD swiffles to his right, six runs over Inan’s head.
The key bowler continues to bowl short balls to both batters to no avail as they are leaving the majority for the keeper..
At the end of they day Australia are 2/84 Smith 42 n.o Khawaja 34 n.o.
Not the greatest day’s play with no outstanding performances but nevertheless it is the greatest game – Test match cricket.
You can read Bob’s previous reports Here
To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au home page click HERE
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
Test cricket is 90% an excuse for conversation and contemplation. Interrupted occasionally by athletic deeds. Unfortunately the incessant loud music, ads and “aren’t we all having fun” confected hysteria dulls the mind to these simple pleasures.
I noticed that a lot of the ads on the flashing electronic signs that circumnavigate the ground were for Pakistani/sub-continent products. Good to know that Flutter Inc (real name) has bookmaking subsidiaries all around the world – I was getting sick of Sportsbet ads.
Leave “our” Optus alone. It’s just a mini MCG concrete castle, and I don’t notice you critiquing that. Optus does have shade, adequate toilets (for those of us of a certain age and/or alcohol consumption), and comfy spacious seats. Things the WACA lacked for those who strayed beyond the confines of press box and Llllee/Marsh stand.
My sense is that modern cricketers have an “If it’s Tuesday this much be Belgium” mindset and are understandably going through the motions most of the time. Enthusiasm is sub contracted to the PR department. That’s the price you pay for the big bucks.
Cricket Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of BCCI and I’m sure they’ll let us keep a cricket season from Boxing Day to Australia Day in alternate years.
Ho hum. It’s cricket Bob – but not as we knew it. Regards.